Remembering the Future, Winter 2011 editorial

In November of 2001, I went to the annual SFWA writers and editors meet-up in New York City. We were a scant two months removed from the tragedy of 9/11, and its enormity cast a shadow over the normally over-joyous celebration. I was no longer working in the city when the two towers collapsed, but many of my friends and colleagues were. It was good to gather together and enjoy each other’s company, even if the changed skyline out the window was still a shock to most of us.

It was in this somber atmosphere that I decided to launch a new speculative fiction magazine. I had left Tor Books more than a year prior, and deeply missed working in science fiction publishing. Inspired by Gavin Grant, I decided to make use of the connections I had and continue to work in the field even in a small way. I copied, collated, folded, and stapled 300 copies of the first issue, and I gave copies away that night. I had no idea what I was getting into.

Along the way we’ve printed 22 issues (three double issues), garnered five World Fantasy Award nominations (including one for Jeffrey Ford’s short story “The Way He Does It”), earned one Hugo win, and enjoyed countless wonderful stories and experiences. Electric Velocipede has grown from a one-man show to a talented team (click on the staff link) over the past few years, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. They keep me sane and provide a much-needed dose of enthusiasm.

Now it’s ten years later, welcome to the new Electric Velocipede, all electric, all the time. Throughout the rest of 2011, we’ll be posting issue #23. We’re already deep into the mix of working on issue #24, and we have the content for #25 set up in the wings waiting our attention. Issue #24 should come out in January 2012 and issue #25 in April 2012. This is content we’ve been bursting at the seams to send out to you for a while now, and we’re glad that time to share with you is now. Yes, that means that we’ll be opening for submissions early next year. Keep watching.

I wanted to close this out with some thank yous for the people who’ve helped the magazine over the years, but there are too many of you. Thank you all for everything you’ve done for us, for believing in what we’re doing, and for supporting us. There are two ladies I need to single out. First, my managing editor Anne Zanoni who can herd cats while juggling chainsaws. Seriously. If you see mistakes in the magazine, they’re my fault. Anne does everything she can to get this thing out error-free and I always thwart her. And second, my wife. Her support means everything to me and I probably don’t tell her often enough.

You can check the table of contents to know what’s coming up the next few weeks. Be sure to let us know what you think!

John Klima
Waukesha, WI
October 2011

If you can, please donate using the button on the upper right. Anything you can do is appreciated.